Day 21: Tarangire National Park to Migobani Camp Lake Manyara | 135 km (2 hours 30 min)

Exiting the park, excitement permeates the air as we embark on the highlight of our journey – Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti National Park. It feels surreal, ticking off these incredible places from my bucket list. Today’s drive is short, taking us past Lake Manyara and through Mto wa Mbu, a charming town at the foot of the Great Rift Valley. Along the way, we make a pit stop for red bananas, airtime, and cash from an ATM. Turning off, we ascend the steep Jeep track towards the camp. Nestled on a mountain, Migobani offers a breathtaking view of the serene Lake Manyara.

Camp setup complete, we indulge in a refreshing swim, while the kids delight in the swing hanging from a colossal baobab tree next to the restaurant.

Observing dark, heavy clouds rolling in, I inquire with one of the locals about the likelihood of rain. He assures us that the rain usually comes from the other side, and this weather will likely pass. As the day concludes, we dine in the restaurant. However, little did we know what awaited us – the evening takes an unexpected turn. Drizzling begins, and we retire to our tents for the night.

Little did we anticipate the impending storm. Lightning and thunder resonate through the Rift Valley, and the wind intensifies, causing the entire vehicle to shake. In the midst of the heavy rains and gusty winds, we can only hope that the canvas will withstand nature’s force. Lying in the rooftop tents, I recall the local’s parting words about the rain usually approaching from the other side.

Day 22: Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Crater | 82 km (2 hours)

After enduring an exceptionally cold night and what may be the worst storm I’ve experienced, we rise early to inspect the tents for any damage. The drizzle persists, prompting us to utilise our awnings for shelter as we prepare coffee and a quick breakfast. Descending the mountain, we head to the town of Mto wa Mbu to stock up, anticipating being off the grid for the next 7 days. Driving onto the main road, we witness the aftermath of flooding around Lake Manyara, with street vendors diligently cleaning mud-covered fruits and vegetables.

Once stocked up, our excited group sets off towards the Ngorongoro Crater.

Climbing to an elevation of 2404 m above sea level, we finally reach the entrance gate. Parking the vehicles, we walk to the reception with broad smiles, knowing that our next two days in Ngorongoro will likely be the most expensive ever. While I managed to pre-book all our national parks on Tanzania’s online platform, Ngoro proved challenging. We share a laugh, anticipating the hefty price tag but hoping it will be worth it.

The office is bustling, and we attempt to book a Special Campsite for our first night and Simba A for the second. After a few misunderstandings and phone calls, we successfully book a Special Campsite on the crater rim for the first night, followed by Simba A the next night. Despite the wasted time, everything aligns perfectly. We pay the astronomical amount for two nights of camping, park fees, vehicle fees, and an additional crater access fee before heading towards the gate.

Passing through the gate, anticipation builds to see the crater from the main viewing point. Clouds obscure the sky, and butterflies flutter as we reach the parking area. Stepping out, I’m overcome with emotion. No words, photos, or videos can capture the beauty of this special place—it’s absolutely breathtaking. The crater houses an entire ecosystem, a sight that needs to be witnessed and experienced firsthand. Ngoro justifies its price tag.

After capturing many photos of this spectacular sight, we eagerly look forward to spending the day in the crater tomorrow. Following the crater rim road, we head toward our Special campsite, enjoying the scenic drive.

Reaching the Ranger post, we present our permits and receive directions to our campsite. As the only campers on the rim, we are ecstatic and agree that the special camping fees were well worth it.

The campsite is nestled in lush tropical bush and ferns, resembling a Mastercard advert—priceless!

Setting up camp, a local Masai herdsman offers to bring us firewood at a price, which we gladly accept. Despite a drizzle, we decide on Vetkoek and Mince for dinner, a delightful substitute. Enjoying our meal under the awnings, the rain soon stops, allowing us to end the cold night next to a warm fire.

Day 23: Ngorongoro Crater

We rise just after first light, close our tents, and head to the Ranger post for check-in. Our papers are stamped, and we begin the descent into the crater.

The steep, scenic drive unfolds, and upon reaching the crater floor, we are mesmerized by the spectacular, sheer size of the crater and the abundance of wild animals that inhabit this wonderful ecosystem.

As we venture into the unknown, there’s so much to see. We encounter our favorite animal, the Rhino, and, of course, just about everything else one could wish to see within a few hours in the crater.

We stop at the Picnic spot for breakfast and spend the rest of the day exploring this amazing place. What a privilege to be able to drive in Ngorongoro crater in your own vehicle.

As the day comes to an end, we begin the ascent to the crater rim and spend the night in the bustling Simba A Campsite. The girls are lucky and get to enjoy a hot shower, while we, unfortunately, do not. Nevertheless, we spend the night having warm pasta while chatting about our wonderful experience in this extraordinary place.